Newport Beach is Home to Some of the Best Happy Hour Specials in OC, and All in a Beachy Locale We Love.
Written By: Crawford McCarthy 12 Newport Beach Happy Hours to Ease Your Workday Woes
The phrase “happy hour” is magical. Utter these words, followed by a question mark to anyone who has been working all day and you are sure to be met with a smile. Pair this with the iconic backdrop of Newport Beach, and even the very happiest of hours gets taken to a new level. No matter what day of the work week you need to escape from, there are countless venues strewn across Newport ready to do whatever it takes to turn that frown upside down. From great food to even better drinks, these are the very best places to help you forget about your day.
Happy Hour With a View
Who says you can only enjoy happy hour during the week? To wrap up your weekend and start next week off on the right foot, make your way down to A&O Kitchen+Bar for their Waterfront Social Sundays! Starting May 20 from 2-6 p.m., guests can enjoy live music and drink specials as well as some made-to-order grilled items—not to mention shareable cocktail pitchers will also be on the menu. The best part? You’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the bay from the comfort of your table.
Native Knowledge: Balboa Bay Resort is the only waterfront resort in Newport Beach! Take in the view knowing you can’t get anything like this elsewhere.
1221 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.630.4285
You Can Sit With Us
A Newport institution, The Cannery has daily happy hour from 3:30-7 p.m. offering select half-priced dishes and discounted drinks. Busy upstairs? Head down to The Snug Bar, which has its own daily special of 50 bottles of wine at 50 percent off from 5-7 p.m.
Native Knowledge: “We have purchased a Duffy for guest rental” General Manager Alyssa McDiarmid said. “A great feature for tourists and neighbors alike.”
The Cannery
3010 Lafayette Rd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.566.0060
Big in Japan
This world-renowned sushi spot offers breathtaking views of the bay with a side of delicious Japanese fare. What’s better? They now have a Tanoshi Hour, Japanese for happy hour, Monday through Thursday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the bar. The best part? It’s not going to empty your wallet! Any of their menu items will have you drooling, but we recommend the Yellowtail Sashimi Jalapeño, the Umami Seabass Taco and the Salt & Pepper Squid. Pair these with their light, flavorful Lychee Martini or a Nobu Side Car for the ultimate break from the work day.
Native Knowledge: Not only does Nobu Newport Beach offer Tanoshi Hour, they also have Wagyu Whisky Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to close in the bar and lounge area!
Nobu Newport Beach
3450 Via Oporto, Ste 101
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.429.4440
Baja-lleluja
Baja-inspired street and specialty tacos take center stage at one of Newport’s most vivacious venues. With happy hour on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 3-6 p.m., the flavors of the vast menu are complemented by the 24 fresh salsas made daily. Paired with a margarita, you’ll be hard-pressed not to be happy at this happy hour.
Native Knowledge: Taco Tuesdays in Newport Beach is just happy hour by a different name, and the Tequila & Taco Tuesdays here are a must with live music from 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Sol Mexican Cocina
251 Pacific Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, California 92660
949.675.9800
Where Everyone Knows Your Name
“The Alley is the closest thing to ‘Cheers’ you will find on the West Coast,” CEO of Chon Hospitality Group, Jeff Chon said. “The ‘anti-happy hour’ happy hour is available in the bar all night with the crowd favorite being the twice baked potato loaded with cheese, vegetables and chicken or filet” Chon continued. It’s exactly the type of place you not only need after work, but deserve.
Native Knowledge: Dogs are allowed on the patio. So, walk your pup over after work because happy hour is great, but happy hour with dogs is even better.
The Alley
4501 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.646.9126
Munch a Bunch
A family-owned restaurant, Avila’s distinctly reflects its surrounding area with a sincere and immensely charming flair. With a $1, $3 and $5 food menu and 3-6 p.m. happy hour Monday through Friday, Avila’s is the go-to spot for your after-work needs. It’s a proven fact that tacos and tostadas make any day better.
Native Knowledge: Avila’s will add a fried egg on top of any dish, just ask your server! Your hangover with thank you.
Avila’s El Ranchito
2800 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.675.6855
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
This beloved, local spot has finally reopened after a devastating fire in 2016. With Ho Sum Bistro offering happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m., you’ll be able to enjoy your favorites like the Ho Sum Dumplings and Crispy Crab Bellies at a discounted price.
Native Knowledge: With the highly anticipated reopening, Ho Sum Bistro usually has a packed house! Be sure to get here early for their happy hour.
Ho Sum Bistro
3112 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.675.0896
Hugs and Quiches
Located in the beautiful Lido Marina Village, Zinqué makes for a breath of fresh air after the work week. Monday through Friday from 4-6:30 p.m., you can sit outside at Zinqué and enjoy watching boats drift by while enjoying your discounted happy hour menu items like Pan Con Tomate to Mini Quiche Bites and Country Pate.
Native Knowledge: If you park in the Lido Marina Village parking garage, ask for a parking validation ticket from your server for two hours of free parking.
Zinqué
3446 Via Oporto
Newport Beach CA 92663
949.612.7259
Farm-to-Fork
Provenance in Newport Beach offers diners a farm-to-table experience where they can sit on the patio and see the garden where the majority of the ingredients in their dishes came from. Happy hour is Tuesday through Friday, with bites from 2-5 p.m. and drinks from 3-6 p.m., this upscale hotspot will have you coming back each day.
Native Knowledge: The menu changes monthly based on what’s in the garden, so you’ll always have something new to try!
Provenance
2531 Eastbluff Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.718.0477
Island Fever
The definition of a neighborhood spot through and through, Free Range has the perfect mix of ambiance, food and wine to push away any work woes. Born from a food truck, Free Range Café has become the spot to dine at on Balboa Island. With happy hour specials from 3-6 p.m., including discounts on various food and drinks, this Insta-worthy spot will become one of your new favorites.
Native Knowledge: Parking on Balboa Island can be tight, so if you don’t want to hunt for a spot, just take the ferry from the peninsula and walk two minutes right up the street.
Free Range Café
501 Park Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92662
949.873.5884
Let It Go
Loosening the tie, switching from heels to flats and “letting your hair down” is all welcome at Stag Bar + Kitchen’s happy hour. The classic venue for varsity-level happy hour participants with an 11-hour-long happy hour going from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Native Knowledge: Stag grinds their meatballs in-house, and makes all of them from scratch!
Stag Bar + Kitchen
121 McFadden Pl
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.4470
